Usual Adult Dose for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction:
Farxiga
Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Nov 22, 2022.
What is Farxiga?
Farxiga is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. Dapagliflozin works by helping the kidneys get rid of glucose from your bloodstream.
Farxiga is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This medicine is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Farxiga is also used to lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.
Farxiga is also used in adults to lower the risk needing to be in the hospital for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.
Farxiga is also used to lower the risk of further worsening of kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), death due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease.
Warnings
You should not use Farxiga if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, severe kidney disease, or if you are on dialysis.
Tell your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.
Taking Farxiga can make you dehydrated, which could cause you to feel weak or dizzy (especially when you stand up).
Farxiga can cause serious infections in the penis or vagina. Get medical help right away if you have burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, or if you don’t feel well.
Some people taking this medicine have had bladder cancer, but it is not clear if dapagliflozin was the actual cause.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Farxiga if you are allergic to dapagliflozin, or if you have:
- severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
- diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
To make sure Farxiga is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- polycystic kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- bladder infections or other urination problems;
- problems with your pancreas, including surgery;
- alcoholism, or if you currently drink large amounts of alcohol; or
- if you are on a low salt diet.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about using Farxiga if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.
You should not use dapagliflozin during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Do not breastfeed.
How should I take Farxiga?
Take Farxiga exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
You may take Farxiga with or without food.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test the level of ketones in your urine. Dapagliflozin can cause life-threatening ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood). Even if your blood sugar is normal, contact your doctor if a urine test shows that you have high ketones in the urine.
Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.
You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Farxiga.
Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and special medical care.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Farxiga dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
To improve glycemic control:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
-May increase to 10 mg orally once a day for additional glycemic control if lower dose has been tolerated
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
To reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure: 10 mg orally once a day
Uses:
-As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
-To reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.
Usual Adult Dose for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction:
10 mg orally once a day
Use: To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) with reduced ejection fraction.
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Kidney Disease:
10 mg orally once a day
Use: To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and
hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Farxiga?
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Farxiga side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Farxiga: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a genital infection (penis or vagina): burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, not feeling well. These symptoms may get worse quickly.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- dehydration – dizziness, confusion, feeling very thirsty, less urination;
- kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
- ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood) – nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing; or
- signs of a bladder infection–pain or burning when you urinate, increased urination, blood in your urine, fever, pain in your pelvis or back.
Some side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.
Common Farxiga side effects may include:
- genital yeast infection;
- urinating more than usual; or
- sore throat and runny or stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Farxiga?
Other drugs may increase or decrease the effects of Farxiga on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- insulin or other oral diabetes medicines;
- a diuretic or “water pill”; or
- lithium.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with dapagliflozin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Popular FAQ
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). It starts working after just one dose, but it may take a week for Farxiga to take full effect. Continue reading
Farxiga may lead to modest weight loss, even though it’s not a weight loss drug. Clinical studies showed people taking Farxiga alone, at either 5 mg or 10 mg daily, lost about 6 pounds over 24 weeks. Continue reading
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) may cause acute kidney injury. Signs to watch out for include urinating less or swelling in you legs or feet. Before starting Farxiga your doctor will determine if you are at increased risk for acute kidney injury. Continue reading
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is used to treat certain adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Farxiga is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It also works by reducing the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system that contributes to the progression of heart failure and the increased intraglomerular pressure that contributes to CKD. Continue reading
Taking the drug Farxiga may lead to constipation in some people. The good news is that it doesn’t seem to happen often. In studies, only around 2% of people taking Farxiga developed constipation, compared to 1.5% of people taking a placebo. Continue reading
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- Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Heart Failure
- Diabetes, Type 2
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Farxiga only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.02.
Farxiga – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Dapagliflozin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. This medication is also used in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease to lower the risk of going to the hospital for heart failure. Dapagliflozin works by increasing the removal of sugar by your kidneys.
Dapagliflozin is also used to treat kidney disease and heart failure. It may help you live longer and lower your risk of going to the hospital for heart failure. Dapagliflozin works by increasing the removal of sodium by your kidneys.
How to use Farxiga
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking dapagliflozin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Frequent urination, dizziness, or lightheadedness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of a urinary tract infection (such as burning/painful/frequent/urgent urination, pink/bloody urine), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, swelling legs/feet).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: unusual tiredness, nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, trouble breathing.
Dapagliflozin can sometimes cause painful urination or pink/bloody urine that are usually signs of a urinary tract infection, but they may also be signs of a rare condition (bladder cancer). Bladder cancer may or may not be caused by dapagliflozin. Tell your doctor right away if you develop these symptoms.
This medication may cause a new yeast infection in the vagina or the penis. It may also cause a rare but very serious bacterial infection in the genital/anal area (Fournier’s gangrene) in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of a yeast infection in the vagina (such as unusual vaginal discharge/burning/itching/odor) or in the penis (such as redness/itching/swelling of the penis, unusual discharge from the penis). However, get medical help right away if you have any pain/redness/swelling in or around the genital/anal area, along with a fever or feeling unwell.
This medication may cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to serious kidney damage. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you are not able to drink fluids as usual, or losing fluid (such as due to vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating). Also, tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of dehydration, such as urinating less than usual, unusual dry mouth/thirst, fast heartbeat, or dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting.
If you are taking dapagliflozin for diabetes, dapagliflozin does not usually cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar may occur if this drug is prescribed with other diabetes medications, or if you do not consume enough calories from food, or if you do unusually heavy exercise. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the dose of your other diabetes medication needs to be lowered. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don’t have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use of this product. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medications.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking dapagliflozin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease/failure (dialysis), dehydration, use/abuse of alcohol, low blood pressure, history of yeast infections in the vagina or penis.
If you have diabetes, you may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcohol while taking this medication because it can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar and a high ketone level.
If you have diabetes, it may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Also, if you are eating less or not able to eat due to these conditions or any illness, this can lead to a high ketone level while you are taking this medication. Consult your doctor because this may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar or ketone testing.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness/fainting (usually when standing), dehydration, and kidney disease.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor may change your diabetes treatment during your pregnancy (such as diet and medications including insulin).
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Consult your pharmacist or physician.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are unaffected by these drugs.
Many drugs can affect blood sugar, making it harder to control in people with diabetes. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Your urine will test positive for glucose. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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